Bearing apparatus, spindle motor, and disk drive apparatus

ABSTRACT

In a bearing apparatus, a first cup portion defining a portion of a stationary portion of a bearing apparatus includes a circular plate portion and a cylindrical portion projecting downward from an outer edge portion of the circular plate portion. A rotating portion of the bearing apparatus includes an annular recessed portion arranged to accommodate at least a lower end portion of the cylindrical portion. Accordingly, it is possible to limit the axial dimension of the bearing apparatus while also enabling a radial dynamic pressure groove array. Additionally, one end of a through hole defined in the rotating portion is arranged to open into the annular recessed portion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a bearing apparatus, a spindle motor,and a disk drive apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

Hard disk apparatuses and optical disk apparatuses are typicallyprovided with a spindle motor arranged to rotate a disk or disks about acenter axis thereof. The spindle motor includes a stationary portionfixed to a housing of the disk drive apparatus, and a rotating portionarranged to rotate while supporting the disk(s). The spindle motor isarranged to produce a torque centered on the center axis by magneticflux generated between the stationary and rotating portions, whereby therotating portion is caused to rotate with respect to the stationaryportion.

The stationary and rotating portions of the spindle motor are joined toeach other through a bearing apparatus. In recent years, in particular,spindle motors have often been provided with a bearing apparatus inwhich a lubricating fluid is arranged between the stationary androtating portions. JP-A 2002-5171, for example, describes an example ofsuch a bearing apparatus using the lubricating fluid. In the bearingapparatus described in JP-A 2002-5171, the lubricating fluid is arrangedto fill a gap between a shaft and a sleeve which are rotatably supportedwith respect to each other.

The bearing apparatus described in JP-A 2002-5171 includes a radialdynamic pressure bearing portion and a pumping action portion. Thebearing apparatus having such a structure has a problem in that, when itis desirable to limit the axial dimension of the bearing apparatus, boththe axial dimension of the radial dynamic pressure bearing portion andthat of the pumping action portion is not sufficient enough to allowboth the radial dynamic pressure bearing portion and the pumping actionportion to both exhibit a sufficient performance.

In addition, the pumping action portion may sometimes introduce airbubbles into the lubricating fluid when pumping the lubricating fluid.If the air bubbles introduced into the lubricating fluid are accumulatedin the vicinity of a thrust dynamic pressure bearing portion or theradial dynamic pressure bearing portion, generation of a dynamicpressure in the lubricating fluid may be hindered. If this happens, asufficient supporting force may not be obtained between the shaft andthe sleeve to allow the bearing apparatus to maintain a sufficientrotation performance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a bearingapparatus is provided which includes a stationary portion preferablyincluding a stationary shaft arranged along a center axis extending in avertical direction, and a first cup portion preferably including acircular plate portion extending radially outward from the stationaryshaft; a rotating portion arranged to rotate about the stationary shaft;and a lubricating oil. The first cup portion further preferably includesa cylindrical portion projecting downward from an outer edge portion ofthe circular plate portion. The rotating portion preferably includes afirst upper surface arranged opposite to a lower surface of the circularplate portion; an annular recessed portion arranged to accommodate atleast a lower end portion of the cylindrical portion; a first innercircumferential surface arranged opposite to an outer circumferentialsurface of the stationary shaft; and a second inner circumferentialsurface arranged opposite to an outer circumferential surface of thefirst cup portion. The lubricating oil is arranged in a gap between thestationary and rotating portions. At least one of the outercircumferential surface of the stationary shaft and the first innercircumferential surface of the rotating portion has a radial dynamicpressure groove array. The outer circumferential surface of the firstcup portion and the second inner circumferential surface of the rotatingportion together preferably define a tapered seal portion therebetween,the tapered seal portion having a radial dimension gradually increasingin an upward direction. An upper surface of the lubricating oil islocated in the tapered seal portion. A lower surface of the lubricatingoil is located between the stationary and rotating portions at a levellower than that of the annular recessed portion. The rotating portionfurther preferably includes a through hole filled with the lubricatingoil, one end of the through hole opening into the annular recessedportion, an opposite end of the through hole opening into the gapbetween the stationary and rotating portions at a level lower than thatof the annular recessed portion.

According to this preferred embodiment of the present invention, it ispossible to limit the axial dimension of the bearing apparatus as awhole while also enabling the radial dynamic pressure groove array.

Other features, elements, steps, characteristics and advantages of thepresent invention will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of preferred embodiments of the present invention withreference to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a bearing apparatusaccording to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a disk drive apparatusaccording to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a spindle motor accordingto a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a stationary shaft, a firstcup portion, a second cup portion, a sleeve portion of a hub, and theirvicinity, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the hub.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of the first cupportion and its vicinity.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the hub.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the hub.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is assumedherein that an upward/downward direction (i.e., a vertical direction) isdefined along a center axis 9, with a direction in which a cylindricalportion 133 b of a first cup portion 133 projects defined as a downwarddirection. The shape of each member and relative positions of differentmembers will be described based on this assumption. It should be noted,however, that the above definition of the upward/downward direction issimply applied to facilitate the description provided herein, and shouldnot be construed to restrict in any way the orientation of a bearingapparatus, a spindle motor, or a disk drive apparatus according to anypreferred embodiment of the present invention when actually installed ina device.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a bearing apparatus105 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.Referring to FIG. 1, the bearing apparatus 105 preferably includes arotating portion 141 and a stationary portion including a stationaryshaft 132 and the first cup portion 133. The stationary shaft 132 isarranged along the center axis 9 extending in the vertical direction.The first cup portion 133 includes a circular plate portion 133 a andthe cylindrical portion 133 b. The circular plate portion 133 a extendsradially outward from the stationary shaft 132. The cylindrical portion133 b projects downward from an outer edge portion of the circular plateportion 133 a.

The rotating portion 141 is supported around the stationary shaft 132 soas to be rotatable about the center axis 9. As illustrated in FIG. 1,the rotating portion 141 preferably includes a first innercircumferential surface 141 a, a first upper surface 141 b, an annularrecessed portion 141 d, and a second inner circumferential surface 141e. The first inner circumferential surface 141 a is arranged opposite toan outer circumferential surface of the stationary shaft 132. The firstupper surface 141 b is arranged opposite to a lower surface of thecircular plate portion 133 a of the first cup portion 133. The annularrecessed portion 141 d is arranged to accommodate at least a lower endportion of the cylindrical portion 133 b of the first cup portion 133.The second inner circumferential surface 141 e is arranged opposite toan outer circumferential surface of the first cup portion 133.

A lubricating oil 159 is arranged in a gap between the stationaryportion and the rotating portion 141. An upper surface of thelubricating oil 159 is located between the outer circumferential surfaceof the first cup portion 133 and the second inner circumferentialsurface 141 e of the rotating portion 141, whereas a lower surface ofthe lubricating oil 159 is located between the stationary portion andthe rotating portion 141 at a level lower than that of the annularrecessed portion 141 d.

The rotating portion 141 includes a through hole 141 f. One end of thethrough hole 141 f opens into the annular recessed portion 141 d, whilean opposite end of the through hole 141 f opens into the gap between therotating portion 141 and the stationary portion at a level lower thanthat of the annular recessed portion 141 d. The through hole 141 f isfilled with the lubricating oil 159.

At least one of the outer circumferential surface of the stationaryshaft 132 and the first inner circumferential surface 141 a of therotating portion 141 has a radial dynamic pressure groove array 151arranged thereon. During rotation of the rotating portion 141, theradial dynamic pressure groove array 151 serves to cause the lubricatingoil 159 to flow upward in a gap between the outer circumferentialsurface of the stationary shaft 132 and the first inner circumferentialsurface 141 a of the rotating portion 141.

At least one of the outer circumferential surface of the first cupportion 133 and the second inner circumferential surface 141 e of therotating portion 141 has a pumping groove array 154 arranged thereon.During the rotation of the rotating portion 141, the pumping groovearray 154 serves to cause the lubricating oil 159 to flow toward thelower end portion of the cylindrical portion 133 b.

In the present preferred embodiment, the first cup portion 133 includesthe cylindrical portion 133 b projecting downward while at the same timethe rotating portion 141 includes the annular recessed portion 141 darranged to accommodate at least the lower end portion of thecylindrical portion 133 b. This arrangement makes it possible to limitthe axial dimension of the bearing apparatus 105 as a whole whilemaintaining a sufficient axial dimension of both the radial dynamicpressure groove array 151 and the pumping groove array 154. Moreover, inthe present preferred embodiment, one end of the through hole 141 fopens into the annular recessed portion 141 d. Accordingly, any airbubbles that have been introduced by the pumping groove array 154 intothe lubricating oil 159 will be efficiently sent into the through hole141 f, so that the air bubbles may be discharged out of the bearingapparatus 105 through the lower surface of the lubricating oil 159.

Next, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be describedbelow in a greater detail.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a disk drive apparatus 1according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The diskdrive apparatus 1 is a device designed to read and write informationfrom or to magnetic disks (hereinafter referred to simply as “disks” 12)while rotating the disks 12. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the disk driveapparatus 1 preferably includes an apparatus housing 11, two disks 12,an access portion 13, and a spindle motor 2.

The apparatus housing 11 preferably includes the two disks 12, theaccess portion 13, and the spindle motor 2. The access portion 13includes heads 131, and is arranged to move any of the heads 131 along arecording surface of an associated one of the disks 12 supported by thespindle motor 2 to read or write information from or to the disk 12.Note that the access portion 13 may be only capable of either reading orwriting information from or to any disk 12.

Next, the structure of the spindle motor 2 will now be described below.FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the spindle motor 2. Asillustrated in FIG. 3, the spindle motor 2 includes a stationary portion3 fixed to the apparatus housing of the disk drive apparatus 1, and arotating portion 4 arranged to rotate about the center axis 9 whilesupporting the disks 12.

The stationary portion 3 preferably includes a base member 31, astationary shaft 32, a first cup portion 33, a second cup portion 34,and a stator unit 35. An upper end portion of the stationary shaft 32 isfixed to a cover member of the apparatus housing 11 (see FIG. 2). On theother hand, a lower end portion of the stationary shaft 32 is fixed inrelation to the base member 31 through the second cup portion 34.

The base member 31 defines a portion of the apparatus housing 11 of thedisk drive apparatus 1 (see FIG. 2), and is integral with a remainingportion of the apparatus housing 11. Note, however, that in otherpreferred embodiments the base member 31 and the apparatus housing 11may be defined by separate members fixed to each other. The base member31 includes a plate portion 311 extending radially, and a holder portion312 substantially in the shape of a cylinder and projecting upward froman inner edge portion of the plate portion 311. The base member 31 ismade, for example, of a metal such as an aluminum alloy or the like.

The stationary shaft 32 is preferably a substantially columnar memberarranged along the center axis 9. The first cup portion 33 is fixed tothe stationary shaft 32 in the vicinity of an upper end thereof, whilethe second cup portion 34 is fixed to the stationary shaft 32 in thevicinity of a lower end thereof. The stationary shaft 32 is made, forexample, of a metal such as stainless steel or the like.

The first cup portion 33 is fixed to an outer circumferential surface ofthe stationary shaft 32. The first cup portion 33 is preferablypress-fitted to the stationary shaft 32 in the vicinity of the upper endthereof, and at the same time fixed to the stationary shaft 32 throughan adhesive. However, the first cup portion 33 could also be connectedto the stationary shaft 32 in any other desirable manner. The first cupportion 33 includes a circular plate portion 331 and a cylindricalportion 332. The circular plate portion 331 is preferably fixed to theouter circumferential surface of the stationary shaft 32, and extendsradially outward from the stationary shaft 32. The cylindrical portion332 preferably projects downward from an outer edge portion of thecircular plate portion 331. A vertical section of the first cup portionsubstantially assumes the shape of the letter “L” with the circularplate portion 331 and the cylindrical portion 332. The first cup portion33 is preferably made, for example, of a resin, a metal containingcopper as a main component, or the like.

The second cup portion 34 is preferably fixed to the outercircumferential surface of the stationary shaft 32 at a level lower thanthat of the first cup portion 33. The second cup portion 34 ispress-fitted to the stationary shaft 32 in the vicinity of the lower endthereof, and at the same time fixed to the stationary shaft 32 throughan adhesive. However, the second cup portion 34 could also be connectedto the stationary shaft in any other desirable manner. The second cupportion 34 includes a circular plate portion 341 and a cylindricalportion 342. The circular plate portion 341 is preferably fixed to theouter circumferential surface of the stationary shaft 32, and extendsradially outward from the stationary shaft 32. The cylindrical portion342 preferably projects upward from an outer edge portion of thecircular plate portion 341. A vertical section of the second cup portion34 substantially assumes the shape of the letter “L” with the circularplate portion 341 and the cylindrical portion 342. The second cupportion 34 is made, for example, of a resin, a metal containing copperas a main component, or the like.

The second cup portion 34 is fixed to the base member with an outercircumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 342 in contact withan inner circumferential surface of the holder portion 312 of the basemember 31. Accordingly, the stationary shaft 32 is indirectly fixed tothe base member 31 through the second cup portion 34. Note that in otherpreferred embodiments the stationary shaft 32 and one or both of thefirst and second cup portions 33 and 34 may be defined by a singlemember.

The stator unit 35 includes a stator core 351 and a plurality of coils352. The stator unit 35 is arranged to generate magnetic flux inaccordance with a drive current applied to the coils 352. The statorcore 351 preferably includes a ring-shaped core back 351 a and aplurality of tooth portions 351 b projecting radially outward from thecore back 351 a. The core back 351 a is fixed to an outercircumferential surface of the holder portion 312 of the base member 31.The stator core 351 is obtained, for example, by subjecting magneticsteel sheets laminated in an axial direction to a stamping process. Thecoils 352 are defined by a lead wire wound about each tooth portion 351b of the stator core 351.

The rotating portion 4 includes a hub 41 and a rotor magnet 42.

The hub 41 is arranged around the stationary shaft 32 to rotate aboutthe center axis 9. The hub 41 preferably includes a sleeve portion 411,a plate portion 412, an outer cylindrical portion 413, and a flangeportion 414. The sleeve portion 411 includes an inner circumferentialsurface arranged opposite to the outer circumferential surface of thestationary shaft 32. With respect to an axial direction, the sleeveportion 411 is arranged between the circular plate portion 331 of thefirst cup portion 33 and the circular plate portion 341 of the secondcup portion 34. The plate portion 412 extends radially outward from anupper end portion of the sleeve portion 411. The outer cylindricalportion 413 extends downward from an outer edge portion of the plateportion 412. The flange portion 414 projects radially outward from alower end portion of the outer cylindrical portion 413.

An outer circumferential surface of the outer cylindrical portion 413 isarranged in contact with an inner circumferential portion of each of thetwo disks 12. An upper surface of the flange portion 414 has a lower oneof the disks 12 mounted thereon. While the lower disk 12 is mounted onthe upper surface of the flange portion 414, an upper one of the disks12 is preferably mounted on a spacer 121 arranged on the lower disk 12.The inner circumferential portion of each disk 12 is arranged in contactwith the outer circumferential surface of the outer cylindrical portion413, so that the radial position of each disk 12 is determined. Theouter cylindrical portion 413 and the flange portion 414 together definea support portion arranged to support the two disks 12 in theabove-described manner.

The rotor magnet 42 is fixed to an inner circumferential surface of theouter cylindrical portion 413 of the hub 41. The rotor magnet 42 is inthe shape of a ring centered on the center axis 9. An innercircumferential surface of the rotor magnet 42 is arranged radiallyopposite to outer circumferential surfaces of the tooth portions 351 bof the stator core 351. The inner circumferential surface of the rotormagnet 42 defines a pole surface where the north and south polesalternate with each other.

A lubricating oil 59 is arranged in minute gaps that are defined betweenthe stationary shaft 32, the first cup portion 33, the second cupportion 34, and the hub 41. An upper surface of the lubricating oil 59is located between an outer circumferential surface of the first cupportion 33 and an inner circumferential surface of the plate portion 412of the hub 41. A lower surface of the lubricating oil 59 is locatedbetween an inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 342of the second cup portion 34 and an outer circumferential surface of thesleeve portion 411 of the hub 41.

The sleeve portion 411 of the hub 41 has a through hole 415 extending inthe axial direction from an upper surface to a lower surface thereofdefined therein. The through hole 415 is filled with the lubricating oil59. Examples of the lubricating oil 59 include, for example, oilscontaining an ester as a main component, such as polyolester oil anddiester oil.

The hub 41 is supported through the lubricating oil 59 to be rotatablewith respect to the stationary shaft 32 and the first and second cupportions 33 and 34. That is, in the present preferred embodiment, thestationary shaft 32, the first and second cup portions 33 and 34, andthe hub 41 preferably together define a fluid dynamic bearing apparatus5 arranged to join the stationary and rotating portions 3 and 4 to eachother such that the stationary and rotating portions 3 and 4 arerotatable relative to each other. The stationary shaft 32 and the firstand second cup portions 33 and 34 preferably together define astationary portion of the fluid dynamic bearing apparatus 5. The hub 41preferably defines a rotating portion of the fluid dynamic bearingapparatus 5.

Regarding the spindle motor 2 described above, when the drive current isapplied to the coils 352 of the stationary portion 3, radial magneticflux is generated about the tooth portions 351 b of the stator core 351.Then, the magnetic flux of the tooth portions 351 b and that of therotor magnet 42 interact with each other to produce a circumferentialtorque, so that the rotating portion 4 is caused to rotate about thecenter axis 9 with respect to the stationary portion 3. The disks 12supported by the hub 41 are also caused to rotate about the center axis9 along with the hub 41.

Next, the structure of those members which are arranged in contact withthe lubricating oil 59 will now be described in greater detail below.

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the stationary shaft 32,the first and second cup portions 33 and 34, the sleeve portion 411 ofthe hub 41, and their vicinity. As illustrated in FIG. 4, a gap 51defined between the outer circumferential surface of the stationaryshaft 32 and an inner circumferential surface 41 a of the sleeve portion411, a gap 52 defined between the upper surface of the sleeve portion411 and a lower surface of the first cup portion 33, a gap 53 definedbetween the lower surface of the sleeve portion 411 and an upper surfaceof the circular plate portion 341 of the second cup portion 34, and thethrough hole 415 define mutually communicating spaces filled with thelubricating oil 59.

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the hub 41. As illustratedin FIG. 5, the inner circumferential surface (hereinafter referred to asa “first inner circumferential surface”) 41 a of the sleeve portion 411of the hub 41 has upper and lower radial dynamic pressure groove arrays511 and 512 arranged thereon to generate a fluid dynamic pressure in thelubricating oil 59 in the gap 51. Each of the upper and lower radialdynamic pressure groove arrays 511 and 512 is an array of a plurality ofhook-shaped dynamic pressure generating grooves in a so-calledherringbone pattern arranged in a circumferential direction. During therotation of the hub 41 relative to the stationary shaft 32, a pressureis applied to the lubricating oil 59 in the gap 51 by the upper andlower radial dynamic pressure groove arrays 511 and 512. The hub 41 isarranged to rotate while being radially supported by the fluid dynamicpressure generated in the lubricating oil 59 in the gap 51.

Note that it is enough that the upper and lower radial dynamic pressuregroove arrays 511 and 512 are arranged on at least one of the firstinner circumferential surface 41 a of the hub 41 and the outercircumferential surface of the stationary shaft 32.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the upper radial dynamic pressure groove array511 includes a plurality of first parallel grooves 511 a arranged tocause a downward flow of the lubricating oil 59, and a plurality ofsecond parallel grooves 511 b arranged to cause an upward flow of thelubricating oil 59. Meanwhile, the lower radial dynamic pressure groovearray 512 includes a plurality of third parallel grooves 512 a arrangedto cause a downward flow of the lubricating oil 59, and a plurality offourth parallel grooves 512 b arranged to cause an upward flow of thelubricating oil 59.

In the present preferred embodiment, the sum of the axial dimension ofthe second parallel grooves 511 b and that of the fourth parallelgrooves 512 b is preferably greater than the sum of the axial dimensionof the first parallel grooves 511 a and that of the third parallelgrooves 512 a. Accordingly, an upward flow of the lubricating oil 59caused by a combination of the second and fourth parallel grooves 511 band 512 b is greater than a downward flow of the lubricating oil 59caused by a combination of the first and third parallel grooves 511 aand 512 a. Therefore, the upper and lower radial dynamic pressure groovearrays 511 and 512 as a whole serve to cause the lubricating oil 59 toflow upward in the gap 51.

Note that it may be so arranged that the number of second and fourthparallel grooves 511 b and 512 b is greater than the number of first andthird parallel grooves 511 a and 512 a, and/or that the width and/ordepth of the second and fourth parallel grooves 511 b and 512 b isgreater than the width and/or depth of the first and third parallelgrooves 511 a and 512 a, in order to cause the lubricating oil 59 toflow upward in the gap 51.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of the first cupportion 33 and its vicinity. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the upper surfaceof the sleeve portion 411 of the hub 41 includes a first upper surface41 b, a cylindrical surface 41 c, and a second upper surface 41 d. Thefirst upper surface 41 b spreads radially outward from an upper endportion of the first inner circumferential surface 41 a. The cylindricalsurface 41 c extends downward from an outer edge portion of the firstupper surface 41 b. The second upper surface 41 d spreads radiallyoutward from a lower end portion of the cylindrical surface 41 c.

The first upper surface 41 b is arranged opposite to a lower surface ofthe circular plate portion 331 of the first cup portion 33 with a firstgap 52 a defined therebetween. The cylindrical surface 41 c is arrangedopposite to an inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion332 of the first cup portion 33 with a second gap 52 b definedtherebetween. The second upper surface 41 d is arranged opposite to alower surface of the cylindrical portion 332 of the first cup portionwith a third gap 52 c defined therebetween. The annular recessed portionaccommodates a lower end portion of the cylindrical portion 332 of thefirst cup portion 33.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the hub 41. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the firstupper surface 41 b of the hub 41 has an upper thrust dynamic pressuregroove array 521 arranged thereon to generate a fluid dynamic pressurein the lubricating oil 59 in the first gap 52 a.

The upper thrust dynamic pressure groove array 521 is an array of aplurality of dynamic pressure generating grooves in a spiral patterncentered on the center axis 9 which are arranged in the circumferentialdirection. During the rotation of the hub 41 relative to the stationaryshaft 32, a pressure is applied to the lubricating oil 59 by the upperthrust dynamic pressure groove array 521. The hub 41 is arranged torotate while being axially supported in relation to the first cupportion 33 by the fluid dynamic pressure generated in the lubricatingoil 59.

Note that it is enough that the upper thrust dynamic pressure groovearray 521 is arranged on at least one of the first upper surface 41 b ofthe sleeve portion 411 and the lower surface of the circular plateportion 331 of the first cup portion 33.

Returning to FIG. 6, the axial dimension d1 of the first gap 52 a ispreferably smaller than both the radial dimension d2 of the second gap52 b and the axial dimension d3 of the third gap 52 c during therotation of the hub 41 relative to the stationary shaft 32. For example,the axial dimension d1 of the first gap 52 a is preferably about 30 μmor less, and both the radial dimension d2 of the second gap 52 b and theaxial dimension d3 of the third gap 52 c are preferably about 50 μm orgreater. This arrangement of the dimensions d1, d2, and d3 enables anexcellent generation of the fluid dynamic pressure in the lubricatingoil 59 in the first gap 52 a while at the same time reducing a loss intorque caused by friction in the second and third gaps 52 b and 52 c.

An inner circumferential surface (hereinafter referred to as a “secondinner circumferential surface”) 41 e of the plate portion 412 of the hub41 is arranged opposite to the outer circumferential surface of thefirst cup portion 33 with a fourth gap 54 defined therebetween. Asillustrated in FIG. 5, the second inner circumferential surface 41 e ofthe hub 41 has a pumping groove array 541 arranged thereon to generate afluid dynamic pressure in the lubricating oil 59 in the fourth gap 54 tocause a downward flow of the lubricating oil 59 therein.

The pumping groove array 541 is preferably an array of a plurality ofoblique dynamic pressure generating grooves arranged in thecircumferential direction. While the hub 41 rotates with respect to thefirst cup portion 33, the pumping groove array 541 serves to apply adownward pressure to the lubricating oil 59 in the fourth gap 54, sothat the lubricating oil 59 flows toward the lower end portion of thecylindrical portion 332 of the first cup portion 33. Thus, a leakage ofthe lubricating oil 59 through the fourth gap 54 is prevented.

Note that it is enough that the pumping groove array 541 is arranged onat least one of the second inner circumferential surface 41 e of the hub41 and the outer circumferential surface of the first cup portion 33.

Returning to FIG. 6, the radial dimension d4 of the fourth gap 54 ispreferably smaller than both the radial dimension d2 of the second gap52 b and the axial dimension d3 of the third gap 52 c during therotation of the hub 41 relative to the stationary shaft 32. For example,the radial dimension d4 of the fourth gap 54 is preferably in the rangeof about 10 μm to about 40 μm, and both the radial dimension d2 of thesecond gap 52 b and the axial dimension d3 of the third gap 52 c arepreferably about 50 μm or greater. This arrangement of the dimensionsd2, d3, and d4 makes it possible to cause a downward flow of thelubricating oil 59 in the fourth gap 54 while at the same time reducingthe loss in torque caused by friction in the second and third gaps 52 band 52 c.

Furthermore, the radial dimension d4 of the fourth gap 54 is preferablygreater than the radial dimension d5 of the gap 51 between the outercircumferential surface of the stationary shaft 32 and the first innercircumferential surface 41 a of the hub 41.

Furthermore, the radial dimension d2 of the second gap 52 b ispreferably smaller than the axial dimension d3 of the third gap 52 cduring the rotation of the hub 41 relative to the stationary shaft 32. Achange in conditions such as a temperature during the rotation causes agreater change in the axial dimension d3 of the third gap 52 c than inthe radial dimension d2 of the second gap 52 b. An increase in the axialdimension d3 of the third gap 52 c contributes to reducing an influenceof the change in the dimension d3 on rotational accuracy or the torque.

A tapered seal portion 54 a whose radial dimension gradually increasesin an upward direction is arranged in the fourth gap 54 at a levelhigher than that of the pumping groove array 541. The upper surface ofthe lubricating oil 59 is located within the tapered seal portion 54 a.Accordingly, the upper surface of the lubricating oil 59 is attracteddownward by surface tension to provide improved prevention of theleakage of the lubricating oil 59 through the fourth gap 54.

The vertical section of the first cup portion 33 according to thepresent preferred embodiment substantially assumes the shape of theletter “L” with the circular plate portion 331 and the cylindricalportion 332. Because of the provision of the annular recessed portionabove the second upper surface 41 d of the hub 41, the first and secondinner circumferential surfaces 41 a and 41 e of the hub 41 partiallyoverlap with each other with respect to the axial direction, so thatboth the first and second inner circumferential surfaces 41 a and 41 eof the hub 41 can have a sufficient axial dimension. This makes itpossible to limit the axial dimension of the fluid dynamic bearingapparatus 5 as a whole while enabling both the upper and lower radialdynamic pressure groove arrays 511 and 512 and the pumping groove array541 to be arranged axially in a sufficiently wide range.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the hub 41. As illustrated in FIG. 8, thelower surface of the sleeve portion 411 of the hub 41 has a lower thrustdynamic pressure groove array 531 arranged thereon to generate a fluiddynamic pressure in the lubricating oil 59 in the gap 53.

The lower thrust dynamic pressure groove array 531 is an array of aplurality of dynamic pressure generating grooves in a spiral patterncentered on the center axis 9 which are arranged in the circumferentialdirection. During the rotation of the hub 41 relative to the stationaryshaft 32, a pressure is applied to the lubricating oil 59 by the lowerthrust dynamic pressure groove array 531. The hub 41 is arranged torotate while being axially supported in relation to the second cupportion 34 by the fluid dynamic pressure generated in the lubricatingoil 59.

Note that it is enough that the lower thrust dynamic pressure groovearray 531 is arranged on at least one of the lower surface of the sleeveportion 411 and the upper surface of the circular plate portion 341 ofthe second cup portion 34.

Returning to FIG. 4, the inner circumferential surface of thecylindrical portion 342 of the second cup portion 34 and the outercircumferential surface of the sleeve portion 411 of the hub 41 arearranged opposite to each other with a gap 55 defined therebetween. Thelower surface of the lubricating oil 59 is located within the gap 55.The gap 55 defines a tapered seal portion whose radial dimensiongradually decreases in a downward direction. Accordingly, the lowersurface of the lubricating oil 59 is attracted downward by surfacetension, which contributes to preventing a leakage of the lubricatingoil 59 through the gap 55.

An upper end opening of the through hole 415 is arranged on the secondupper surface 41 d of the hub 41. In other words, an upper end of thethrough hole 415 opens into the third gap 52 c defined between thesecond upper surface 41 d of the hub 41 and the lower end portion of thecylindrical portion 332 of the first cup portion 33. The through hole415 extends downward away from the third gap 52 c. On the other hand, alower end opening of the through hole 415 is arranged on the lowersurface of the sleeve portion 411 of the hub 41.

When causing the lubricating oil 59 to produce an axial supportingforce, each of the upper and lower thrust dynamic pressure groove arrays521 and 531 causes the lubricating oil 59 to flow radially inward.Meanwhile, as described above, an upward flow of the lubricating oil 59is caused in the gap 51. Accordingly, both a radially inward flow of thelubricating oil 59 and a radially outward flow of the lubricating oil 59are caused in the gap 52. A portion of the lubricating oil 59 flowingradially outward in the gap 52 enters into the through hole 415 to causea downward flow of the lubricating oil 59 in the through hole 415.

As described above, the lubricating oil 59 is arranged to circulatethrough the following gaps by flowing therein in the following order:the gap 51, a portion of the gap 52 radially inward of the through hole415, the through hole 415, a portion of the gap 53 radially inward ofthe through hole 415, and the gap 51.

The pumping groove array 541 may introduce air bubbles into thelubricating oil 59 in the fourth gap 54 when causing the lubricating oil59 to flow downward therein. In the present preferred embodiment, thethrough hole 415 is arranged to enable an excellent discharge of suchair bubbles. Specifically, in the present preferred embodiment, theannular recessed portion is arranged above the second upper surface 41 dof the hub 41 to accommodate the lower end portion of the cylindricalportion 332 of the first cup portion 33. In addition, the upper end ofthe through hole 415 is arranged to open into the annular recessedportion, and the lubricating oil 59 is caused to flow downward in thethrough hole 415. Accordingly, any air bubbles introduced into thelubricating oil 59 are efficiently caused to enter into the through hole415 through the fourth gap 54 and the third gap 52 c. Thereafter, theair bubbles are carried to the gap 55 through the through hole 415 andthe gap 53, and discharged out of the fluid dynamic bearing apparatus 5through the lower surface of the lubricating oil 59.

According to the present preferred embodiment, air bubbles aresubstantially prevented from intruding into a region facing any of thedynamic pressure groove arrays 511, 512, 521, and 531 where they wouldcause deterioration of the performance of the dynamic pressure groovearray 511, 512, 521, or 531.

Moreover, referring to FIG. 6, the radial dimension d6 of the throughhole 415 is preferably greater than both the radial dimension d2 of thesecond gap 52 b and the axial dimension d3 of the third gap 52 c duringthe rotation of the hub 41 relative to the stationary shaft 32, so thatany air bubbles introduced into the lubricating oil 59 can be moreefficiently caused to enter into the through hole 415.

Other features, elements, steps, characteristics and advantages of thepresent invention will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of preferred embodiments of the present invention withreference to the attached drawings.

For example, the lower end portion of the cylindrical portion of thefirst cup portion is preferably flat in the above-described preferredembodiment, but may be curved in other preferred embodiments. Also, theannular recessed portion of the rotating portion includes a flatsurface, i.e., the second upper surface 41 d, in the above-describedpreferred embodiment. Note, however, that the annular recessed portionmay be defined by only sloping or curved surfaces in other preferredembodiments. Various modifications may be made to the annular recessedportion insofar as the annular recessed portion is arranged toaccommodate at least the lower end portion of the cylindrical portion ofthe first cup portion, while at the same time one end of the throughhole is arranged to open into the annular recessed portion.

Also, the through hole extends along the center axis in theabove-described preferred embodiment. Note, however, that the throughhole may be arranged to extend at an angle to the center axis in otherpreferred embodiments. As to the lower end opening of the through hole,it is enough that the lower end opening of the through hole is arrangedto open into the gap between the stationary and rotating portions at alevel lower than that of the annular recessed portion. For example, thelower end opening of the through hole may be in direct communicationwith the gap between the outer circumferential surface of the stationaryshaft and the inner circumferential surface of the rotating portion, inother preferred embodiments.

Note that, in other preferred embodiments, the lower surface of thelubricating oil may not necessarily be located in the same place as inthe above-described preferred embodiment insofar as it is locatedbetween the stationary and rotating portions at a level lower than thatof the annular recessed portion.

Note that the present invention is also applicable to spindle motorsarranged to rotate other types of disks than magnetic disks, such as anoptical disk or the like. Note, however, that an application of thepresent invention to a spindle motor designed for a magnetic disk(s) hasgreat technological significance, because the spindle motor designed forthe magnetic disk(s) requires a particularly excellent rotationperformance of the bearing apparatus.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been describedabove, it is to be understood that variations and modifications will beapparent to those skilled in the art without departing the scope andspirit of the present invention. The scope of the present invention,therefore, is to be determined solely by the following claims.

1. A bearing apparatus comprising: a stationary portion including astationary shaft arranged along a center axis extending in a verticaldirection, and a first cup portion including a circular plate portionextending radially outward from the stationary shaft; a rotating portionarranged to rotate about the stationary shaft; and a lubricating oil;wherein the first cup portion further includes a cylindrical portionprojecting downward from an outer edge portion of the circular plateportion; the rotating portion includes: a first upper surface arrangedopposite to a lower surface of the circular plate portion; an annularrecessed portion arranged to accommodate at least a lower end portion ofthe cylindrical portion; a first inner circumferential surface arrangedopposite to an outer circumferential surface of the stationary shaft;and a second inner circumferential surface arranged opposite to an outercircumferential surface of the first cup portion; the lubricating oil isarranged in a gap between the stationary and rotating portions; at leastone of the outer circumferential surface of the stationary shaft and thefirst inner circumferential surface of the rotating portion includes aradial dynamic pressure groove array; the outer circumferential surfaceof the first cup portion and the second inner circumferential surface ofthe rotating portion together define a tapered seal portiontherebetween, the tapered seal portion having a radial dimensiongradually increasing in an upward direction; an upper surface of thelubricating oil is located in the tapered seal portion; a lower surfaceof the lubricating oil is located between the stationary and rotatingportions at a level lower than that of the annular recessed portion; andthe rotating portion further includes a through hole filled with thelubricating oil, one end of the through hole opening into the annularrecessed portion, an opposite end of the through hole opening into thegap between the stationary and rotating portions at a level lower thanthat of the annular recessed portion.
 2. The bearing apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein the first and second inner circumferential surfacesare arranged to partially overlap with each other with respect to anaxial direction.
 3. The bearing apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe rotating portion includes a cylindrical surface arranged radiallyopposite to an inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion;and each of the first inner circumferential surface and an upper portionof the rotating portion which includes the cylindrical surface isarranged to overlap with the cylindrical portion of the first cupportion in a radial direction.
 4. The bearing apparatus according toclaim 3, wherein the first inner circumferential surface and the outercircumferential surface of the stationary shaft are arranged to togetherdefine a first gap therebetween; the cylindrical surface and the innercircumferential surface of the cylindrical portion are arranged totogether define a second gap therebetween; and the first gap is arrangedto have a radial dimension smaller than that of the second gap.
 5. Thebearing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one of the lower surfaceof the circular plate portion and the first upper surface of therotating portion includes a thrust dynamic pressure groove arrayarranged thereon to generate a fluid dynamic pressure in the lubricatingoil during rotation of the rotating portion.
 6. The bearing apparatusaccording to claim 5, wherein the first upper surface of the rotatingportion and the lower surface of the circular plate portion are arrangedto together define a first gap therebetween, and the annular recessedportion and the lower end portion of the cylindrical portion arearranged to together define a second gap therebetween, each of the firstand second gaps being defined between the first cup portion and therotating portion; and the first gap is arranged to have an axialdimension smaller than an axial dimension of the second gap.
 7. Thebearing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first cup portionand the stationary shaft are defined by separate members.
 8. The bearingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rotating portion includes asecond upper surface arranged at a level lower than a level of the firstupper surface; and the second upper surface defines a bottom surface ofthe annular recessed portion, and an end opening of the through hole isarranged on the second upper surface.
 9. The bearing apparatus accordingto claim 8, wherein the second upper surface and the lower end portionof the cylindrical portion are arranged axially opposite to each otherwith a first gap defined therebetween; and the through hole is arrangedaxially opposite the lower end portion of the cylindrical portion withthe first gap intervening therebetween.
 10. The bearing apparatusaccording to claim 9, wherein the through hole is arranged to have aradial dimension greater than an axial dimension of the first gap. 11.The bearing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stationaryportion further includes a second cup portion arranged below therotating portion to extend radially outward from the outercircumferential surface of the stationary shaft; and the lower surfaceof the lubricating oil is located between the rotating portion and thesecond cup portion.
 12. The bearing apparatus according to claim 11,wherein at least one of a lower surface of the rotating portion and anupper surface of the second cup portion includes a lower thrust dynamicpressure groove array arranged thereon to generate a fluid dynamicpressure in the lubricating oil during rotation of the rotating portion.13. A spindle motor comprising: the bearing apparatus of claim 1; astationary portion including the stationary shaft and the first cupportion; a rotating portion supported through the bearing apparatus ofclaim 1 so as to be rotatable with respect to the stationary portion ofthe spindle motor, the rotating portion of the spindle motor includingthe rotating portion of the bearing apparatus and a support portionarranged to support a disk; and a stator and a magnet arranged toproduce a torque centered on the center axis between the stationary androtating portions of the spindle motor.
 14. A disk drive apparatuscomprising: the spindle motor of claim 13; an access portion arranged toread and/or write information from or to the disk supported by therotating portion of the spindle motor; and a housing arranged to containthe spindle motor and the access portion.